The government on Friday put pressure on the Palestinian Islamist group to immediately release several hostages from or “pay a severe price.”
The warning came in a written statement from the National Security Council and the office of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
It follows fresh talks in Qatar where US officials presented a “bridge” proposal to extend the Gaza ceasefire until mid-April to allow time to negotiate a permanent end to the conflict.
Friday’s statement also restated the call on to allow aid deliveries to Gaza again and release several Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of an American-Israeli dual national and the bodies of several other hostages.
Hamas accused of muddying waters
Hamas said Friday it was ready to free the hostage and the remains of four others.
A statement from the Islamist movement said it had agreed to “release the Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, along with the remains of four others holding dual citizenship.”
The US statement, however, said Hamas was publicly claiming to support the extension, “while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire.”
The statement added that if Hamas fails to meet all the demands in time, the United States “will respond accordingly,” without elaborating.
Israel plays down Hamas’ promise
Israel, meanwhile, played down the chance of the hostage deal, accusing Hamas of waging “psychological warfare” on the families of the abductees.
The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce ran out on March 1 without agreement on the next steps.
, with Israel and Hamas both sending negotiators to work on a plan to extend the ceasefire.
During the first six weeks of the truce, Palestinian militants released 33 hostages, including eight dead bodies, in exchange for about 1,800 Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons.
Israel says Hamas is still holding 24 hostages, as well as 35 bodies of abductees.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
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